TORONTO - Centre Ciaran Hearn, one of Canada's leading lights at the recent Rugby World Cup, has signed with England's London Irish.

The 29-year-old from Conception Bay, N.L., has signed for the duration of the season.

"Ciaran has had an outstanding World Cup campaign with Canada," Glenn Delaney, London Irish's head of rugby operations, said in a statement.

"His level of physicality and ability to distribute and contribute to an all-round game has been very impressive. It is a great opportunity for him to come and experience what it is like to play in probably the toughest domestic league in the world, and for London Irish to get in a player who will work hard and push for a starting place."

Hearn has made 49 appearances for Canada, playing in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. He is also a veteran of the sevens circuit.

He joins Canadian international forward Jebb Sinclair at London Irish, which is currently 11th in the Aviva Premiership with an 0-3-0 record.